College - Iowa State
Aaron Nelson enters his ninth season as the second head athletic trainer in team history after replacing Suns Ring of Honor member Joe Proski in July 2000. When hired, he was the second-youngest head athletic trainer in the NBA.

Included in his role is the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of players and assisting in the travel operation of the team. Under his direction new equipment has been added to assist the medical operation, including new modalities for treatment of injuries, a Swim-Ex hydrotherapy pool and digital X-ray equipment.

Nelson served as the Suns’ assistant athletic trainer for seven-plus seasons since 1993, and was involved with all aspects of the team’s medical and travel needs.

Nelson is certified and licensed as an athletic trainer, performance enhancement specialist (PES), corrective exercise specialist (CES) and certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), Arizona Athletic Trainers Association (AZATA), National Basketball Trainers Association (NBATA), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Following graduation from Iowa State University in December 1992, Nelson spent the spring 1993 semester as a graduate assistant at Arizona State University. While an undergraduate, he was a student athletic trainer for four years under NATA Hall of Famer Frank Randall. He earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education with an emphasis on athletic training and a minor in health.

Nelson is a native of Manning, Iowa, and became the brother-in-law of former Suns guard Jeff Hornacek when he married Jessica Zentmeyer in June 2006. They have one child.